1. Whitewater High School Academic & Career Portfolio Program Helping Young People Accomplish Their Goals & Become College & Career Ready
Good Morning!
We are very excited to be speaking with you about the Academic & Career Planning Program at Whitewater High School! Our program became a graduation requirement in 2008 and students in the Class of 2013 were the first to participate and graduate with a comprehensive career and academic portfolio. The feedback we have received from students, parents, teachers and community members has been very positive and useful as we continuously look for ways to improve. Our program has evolved quite a bit over the past four years– and we are excited to share the highlights and the enhancements we have recently made with you today. It is my pleasure to be making this presentation for you today with one of our most talented and enthusiastic teachers at Whitewater High School – Ms. Kate McNulty! Kate will speak with you in a few minutes about her role as a speech teacher and inspirational leader in our portfolio committee.

2. Vision of Academic & Career Planning: Every Graduate College & Career Ready!
The vision of academic & career planning is to support college & career readiness for every student.
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) released the following statement on college and career readiness in 2015.
“All students in Wisconsin graduate from high school academically prepared and socially / emotionally competent by possessing and demonstrating…
Knowledge – or Proficiency in academic content.
Skills – The Application of knowledge through critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity and….
Habits – or Behaviors such as perseverance, responsibility, adaptability and leadership.
These proficiencies and attributes come from rigorous, rich and well-rounded public school experiences.

3. What is College & Career Readiness?
ACT Score of 22 or Higher
Academic & Career Planning
Rigorous Coursework & Academic Achievement
Test Preparation
Motivation & Engagement
Work Habits & Organization
Persistence & Self-Advocacy
Knowledge of Personal
Strengths & Interests
Self-Reflection & Goal Setting
Social & Emotional Skills
Communication Skills
Healthy Relationships
According to the Wisconsin ACP Guide, The benchmark for determining if a student is college ready comes from their score on the ACT test. Students who earn a score lower than a 22 are not considered college ready. In order to do well on the ACT – students must prepare themselves by taking rigorous core academic coursework, and engage in their learning through intrinsic motivation, persistence and work habits. We’ve seen motivation in our students greatly improve when they discover the purpose for their learning and understand the strong relationship between their performance in high school and the opportunities available to them after graduation. A quality ACP program provides students the opportunity to learn about their strengths & interests, set goals for their achievement and create an authentic & meaningful road map for college & career readiness and success in school.

4. Academic & Career Portfolios
Showcase Academic Success Related to Career Path Decision Making
Understand the Relationship
Between Achievement in School & Postsecondary Career and Educational Opportunities
Set Meaningful Career and
Academic Goals Related to Interests & Strengths
An Academic & Career Planning Portfolio is a tool & support system designed to help students become college and career ready!
A Tool to Help Students become College & Career Ready!

5. Make a Plan Work Hard & Earn Good Grades
Create a File of Important Documents &
Examples of Your Best Work
List Awards & Honors
Include School & Community Activities
Document Volunteer Work
Create a List of Colleges of Interest
Work Hard to Meet Admission Standards
Prepare for College Entrance Testing
Develop Your Leadership Skills
Become a Good Communicator
ACP’s help students achieve their goals through planning and goal setting. Students at Whitewater High School begin working on their portfolio in 9th grade through structured homeroom activities and in a class called Future Connections. Students in grades also participate in career & academic learning activities designed to help them acquire the knowledge, skills and habits needed to support college & career readiness. An electronic portfolio provides an easy & convenient way for students to document their interests & achievements -- and a place to reflect upon their progress in school & document goals for the future. Items on this slide are some of the most important components of our ACP program and help students create their own unique roadmap to a successful future.

6. Grade 9 - KNOW Students Learn More About Themselves
Interests, Skills & Strengths
Academic Classes, Activities, Organizations
Reflection & Goal Setting
Skill Preparation
The following are the 4 stages of successful Academic & Career Planning (ACP). Students in grade 9 are given opportunities to learn more about themselves. They are also encouraged to reflect on their performance in school and set goals for improvement.

7. Students Learn More About Careers
Grade 10 EXPLORE
Students Learn More About Careers
What careers are interesting to me?
What classes in high school will prepare me for a career that would excite me?
What are the education & training requirements associated with the career that interests me?
How do my interests, talents & strengths related to possible careers? Does my academic plan relate to careers of interest?
Students in grade 10 are encouraged to explore their interests by taking a variety of classes and developing leadership and communication skills by participating in a variety of activities and organizations. They are encouraged to learn about education and training requirements associated with careers of interest and if their talents and strengths match those associated with those careers. They continue to work hard academically to prepare themselves for college entrance examinations and other assessments.

8. Students Develop a Career Plan
Grade 11 CAREER PLAN
Students Develop a Career Plan
What do I need to do to accomplish my career & academic goals? Make plans.
Choose coursework that will prepare me for an exciting career. Work hard.
Build my resume with leadership experiences in activities, organizations and/or work related experiences.
Use my knowledge, talent & skills to give back to my school & community through service activities.
Students in grade 11 are encouraged to develop a meaningful & realistic career plan. They choose coursework that will support their plan and discover if their plan relates to careers of interest. They work to build a resume with leadership experiences in activities, organizations and / or work related experiences. Students in grade 11 develop a financial plan based on their career & academic goals and give back to their school and community through service activities.

9. Grade 12 - GO Students Complete Their Academic & Career Plan
Finalize resume & prepare credentials.
Make final plans to graduate from high school & accomplish goals.
Apply to college or work related experiences.
Apply for scholarships, apprenticeships, internships
or other career development experiences.
Leave high school college & career ready!
Students in grade 12 complete their academic and career plan and begin the process of transitioning to college and / or the world of work. They fill out applications for college, scholarships, internships , apprenticeships and other career development experiences. They make final plans and leave high school college & career ready!

10. Career Cruising Career Cruising www.careercruising.com
Career Cruising is an internet-based, electronic portfolio program designed to organize & manage academic & career portfolios for students.

11. My Plan Portfolio Contents
My Assessment
My Careers
My Education
My Course / Education Plan
My Goals & Plans
My Activities & Experiences
My Journal with Artifacts
The portfolio contents within the Individual Learning Plan include:

12. Build My Resume Portfolio Contents
Career Objective
Education History
Work Experiences
Volunteer Experiences
Awards & Certificates
Extracurricular Activities
Hobbies & Interests
Skills & Abilities
Additional Information
References
The Portfolio contents within the Resume Builder include:

13. Portfolio Requirements
Academic Requirements
Students upload eight items from the following core academic areas that demonstrate strength & growth in
My Journal:
English
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
They write a Reflection for each which summarizes what they learned and why the artifact is important to them.

14. Portfolio Requirements
Elective Requirements
Students upload six items from the following elective areas that demonstrate
strength & growth:
Agriculture & Natural Resources, Art,
Bilingual Education, Business, Computer
Science, Family & Consumer Science, Health, World Languages, Music, Physical Education,
Technology & Engineering
Students write a Reflection for each which summarizes what they learned and why the artifact is important to them.

15. Personal Financial Plan
Students create a Personal Financial Plan based on individual needs and plans for the future. This requirement is completed in Personal Finance or
21st Century Living Class during grades 11 & 12.

16. Community Service
Students use their talents & skills to give back to their community through service for a minimum of 10 hours.
They complete a Record of Service Form with signatures of adult supervisors and upload a scanned copy into their portfolio.

17. Other Items
Students also upload a minimum of three items from the list below with reflections on each in
My Journal.
Extra-curricular or co-curricular activities, leadership experiences, awards, certificates, photos, recordings, newspaper clippings, description of activities performed outside of school, work experience, evidence of hobbies, collections, trips, and other items that showcase interests, strengths and talents.

18. Portfolio Completion Plan
Students begin work on their portfolio in Homeroom or in a class called Future Connections during grade 9 and complete requirements in Homeroom each year throughout high school.
Students also work on their portfolios at home and everyday from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. in the LMC where computers are available.

19. Portfolio Checklist
Homeroom teachers use a grade level check list each year to evaluate the completion of the portfolio requirements. A grade of “Complete” or “Incomplete” is used. Students must complete the portfolio requirements in order to graduate.

20. Portfolio Completion Time
Students in Grades 9 – 12
Work on ACP Portfolios
Every Wednesday
Homeroom - Period 4
23 Minutes Each Week
10:13 – 10:36 am
One enhancement we made to our program recently is to have all students in grades 9 – 12 work on their portfolios during homeroom every Wednesday throughout the school year. Homeroom is 23 minutes in length, everyday from 10:13 to 10:36 am. Students have the same homeroom teacher for four years which allows them the opportunity to establish positive, trusting relationships and a great sense of belonging in school. Each Wednesday, students will be given the time to follow specific instructions. lessons and tasks assigned by grade level. A checklist is used to document the completion of work and exam exemptions are awarded when students complete their portfolio assignments each semester. A copy of our new ACP checklist of lessons & assignments can be found on the Whitewater High School Student Services Office Website under Academic & Career Planning Portfolio.

21. Exam Exemptions
Uploading artifacts and meeting portfolio completion standards make a student eligible for exam exemptions and other privileges. A checklist will be used by homeroom teachers to determine if a student is eligible.

22. Portfolio Presentations During Speech Class
Students create and make a presentation about their ACP during Speech class junior or senior year.

23. ACP Completion Checklists New Procedure in 2017-2018
Homeroom Teachers will turn in their student’s completed ACP Checklists to the Assistant Principal by Monday, April 23, 2018 Letters will be mailed to Parents & Students Thursday, April 26 with a copy of their Portfolio Presentation Time & Location Wednesday, May 30
Another enhancement we made to our ACP program this year is to have homeroom teachers turn in their student’s ACP checklists to the Assistant Principal by Monday, April 23. Seniors will present their portfolios to teachers, parents, community members and invited guests on Wednesday, May 30. Letters will be mailed to students and their parents on Thursday, April 26 with information regarding their portfolio presentation time and location. Parents will be informed in April if their son or daughter has not yet completed their ACP.

24. Portfolio Presentations May 30, 2018
The presentation of an Academic & Career Planning Portfolio is the culminating celebration of achievement in high school. Because of this - Seniors are exempt from taking final exams.
Seniors will present their portfolios to a group which will include a teacher, community member, family and invited guests in June instead of taking final exams. Upon successful completion of the portfolio requirements and presentation, students will receive a certificate from the principal for a job well done!

25. Portfolio Presentations
15 Minute Presentation Outline: Part I: Introduction Part II: Academic Accomplishments Part III: Activities, Work Experience & Other Items Part IV: Community Service Part V: Career Portfolio Part VI: Conclusion 5-10 Minutes for Questions & Discussion

26. Early Graduates
Students planning to graduate after 7 semesters will present their portfolios during after school hours on Monday, January 15, 2018

27. June Graduates
Portfolio Presentations for Seniors in the Class of 2018 will take place on Wednesday, May 30 between 12:30 and 3:00 p.m.

28. Portfolio Completion Checklist
Portfolio Checklists Must Be Completed by May 4 for Students in the Class of 2018 to Participate in the Senior Trip

29. Portfolio Presentation Schedule
STAFF
Room
12:30 p.m.
1:00 p.m.
BREAK
1:30 to 1:45
1:45 p.m.
2:15 p.m.
Teacher
267
Student
301
131
148
149
207
404
261
202
247

30. Portfolio Presentation

31. Portfolio Presentation

32. Portfolio Presentation

33. Portfolio Presentation

34. Portfolio Presentation

35. Portfolio Presentation

36. Portfolio Presentation

37. Portfolio Presentation

38. Portfolio Presentation

39. Portfolio Presentation

40. Portfolio Presentation

41. Portfolio Presentation

42. Portfolio Presentation

43. Portfolio Presentation

44. Portfolio Presentation

45. Portfolio Presentation

46. Portfolio Presentation

47. Portfolio Presentation

48. Portfolio Presentation

49. Portfolio Presentation

50. Community Participants

51. Community Participants

52. Community Participants

53. NHS Selection Process p

54. Scholarship Competition

55. College Applications

56. Job Applications

57. Goal of the Program: College & Career Ready!
To produce responsible Whitewater High School graduates who begin their adult life with the knowledge, skills, confidence, meaningful goals and a self-directed plan for career and lifelong success and happiness!

58. Successful Young People
Prepared for Success in the 21st Century!

59. Kate McNulty WHS Speech Instructor
I would now like to introduce Kate McNulty, a Speech teacher and leader in our Academic & Career Planning Portfolio Program. Kate has helped hundreds of students create inspirational portfolio presentations over the years and is a valued member of our portfolio committee at Whitewater High School.

60. Class of 2016 Survey Data - Students
Creating a career & academic portfolio helped me discover the connection between my interests and strengths & many different career options after high school.
92%
AGREE OR
STRONGLY AGREE!
2013=92%
2016=92%

61. Class of 2016 Survey Data - Students
Career Cruising helped me discover an exciting career path.
79%
AGREE OR
STRONGLY AGREE
2013=75%
2016=79%

62. Class of 2016 Survey Data - Students
Creating a meaningful career plan helped me understand the importance of preparing for the future and doing well in high school.
92%
AGREE OR
STRONGLY AGREE!
2013=89%
2016=92%

63. Class of 2016 Survey Data - Students
Showcasing examples of my best work during a presentation increased my motivation to produce quality projects and assignments.
86%
AGREE OR
STRONGLY AGREE!
2013=86%
2016=86%

64. Class of 2016 Survey Data - Students
Reflecting on my achievement in school inspired me to improve my grade point average.
75%
AGREE OR
STRONGLY AGREE
2013=72%
2016=75%

65. Class of 2016 Survey Data - Students
Career & Academic planning in high school helped me set and achieve my goals.
83%
AGREE OR
STRONGLY AGREE!
2013=86%
2016=83%

66. Class of 2016 Survey Data - Students
I feel confident in my ability to be successful in my chosen career path.
97%
AGREE OR
STRONGLY AGREE!

67. Class of 2016 Survey Data Agree / Strongly Agree Parents: 96%
Creating a Career & Academic Portfolio helps students discover the connection between their interests & strengths and many different career options after high school.
Agree / Strongly Agree
Parents:
96%
Teachers: 100%
Community: 100%

68. Career Cruising helps students discover an exciting career path.
Class of 2016 Survey Data
Career Cruising helps students discover an exciting career path.
Agree / Strongly Agree
Parents:
89%
Teachers:
78%
Community:
93%

69. Class of 2016 Survey Data
Creating a meaningful career plan helps students understand the importance of preparing for the future and doing well in high school.
Agree / Strongly Agree
Parents:
93%
Teachers:
100%
Community:

70. Class of 2016 Survey Data
Showcasing examples of a student’s best work during a presentation increases motivation to produce quality projects & assignments.
Agree / Strongly Agree
Parents:
89%
Teachers:
78%
Community:
90%

71. Class of 2016 Survey Data
Reflecting on achievement in school can motivate students to improve their grade point average.
Agree / Strongly Agree
Parents:
81%
Teachers:
68%
Community:
84%

72. Agree or Strongly Agree
Class of 2016 Survey Data
Career & Academic planning in high school helps young people set and achieve goals.
Agree or Strongly Agree
Parents:
89%
Teachers:
94%
Community:
100%

73. Class of 2016 Survey Data
The Career & Academic Portfolio helps young people discover the important connection between achievement in school and career & academic options after high school.
Agree / Strongly Agree
Parents:
86%
Teachers:
95%
Community:
100%

74. Average GPA by Class

75. Senior class GPA increased
from 3.31 (sem 1) to 3.59 (sem II)

76. Senior Class Attendance
Senior class attendance rate
remained consistent since 2013

77. WHS students improved ACT scores by one point from 2013 - 2014
Results
WHS students improved ACT scores by one point from

78. Conclusion
Career & Academic Portfolios Improve College & Career Readiness & Student Achievement